Below is a must read for any Christian leader, particularly Catholics who have inherited a culture so oriented toward our fulfillment of mere moral precepts. Pope Benedict is exhorting us to reflect upon our core beliefs, our anchor, and to fully engage in the relationship that is at the very heart of ritual.
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"The temptation to turn Christianity into a kind of moralism
and to concentrate everything on man's moral action has always been great. For
man sees himself above all. God remains invisible, untouchable and, therefore,
man takes his support mainly from his own action. But if God does not act, if
God is not a true agent in history who also enters into my personal life, then
what does redemption mean? Of what value is our relationship with Christ, and
thus, with the Trinitarian God?
"I think the temptation to reduce Christianity to the level of a type of moralism is very great even in our own day. For we are all living in an atmosphere of deism. Our notion of natural laws does not facilitate us in believing in any action of God in our world. It seems that there is no room for God himself to act in human history and in my life. And so we have the idea of God who can no longer enter into this cosmos, made and closed against him. What is left? Our action. And we are the ones who must transform the world. We are the ones who must generate redemption. We are the ones who must create the better world, a new world. And if that is how one thinks, then Christianity is dead.
"I think the temptation to reduce Christianity to the level of a type of moralism is very great even in our own day. For we are all living in an atmosphere of deism. Our notion of natural laws does not facilitate us in believing in any action of God in our world. It seems that there is no room for God himself to act in human history and in my life. And so we have the idea of God who can no longer enter into this cosmos, made and closed against him. What is left? Our action. And we are the ones who must transform the world. We are the ones who must generate redemption. We are the ones who must create the better world, a new world. And if that is how one thinks, then Christianity is dead.
"We are lacking the force of eternal love to respond to the
challenges of our lives and of politics. Love has the capacity to
transform the world. It spurs our love and, in this communion of two
wills, one can go on. Christian holiness and rectitude do not consist in
any superhuman greatness or in some superior talent. Christian faith is
properly the religion of ordinary people. It comes about in a state of
obedience that places us at God’s disposition wherever He calls. It is
the same obedience that does not trust to one’s own power or one’s own
greatness but is founded on the greatness of the God of Jesus Christ."
Pope Benedict XVI
30 Days in the Church and in the World. Year XVI, Number 10, 1998.
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We need to more deeply encounter Jesus Christ. Let's journey together. Made2Worship begins again in May.
"Christian faith is not only a matter of believing that certain things are true, but above all a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is an encounter with the Son of God that gives new energy to the whole of our existence." Pope Benedict XVI
Image Trinity is committed to inviting families to join in the great adventure of discovering our identity and mission: we Image the Trinity (Get IT?). We exist because of the Holy Spirit working through your prayers, involvement and financial support. Donations of any amount accepted (left column).
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We need to more deeply encounter Jesus Christ. Let's journey together. Made2Worship begins again in May.
"Christian faith is not only a matter of believing that certain things are true, but above all a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is an encounter with the Son of God that gives new energy to the whole of our existence." Pope Benedict XVI
Image Trinity is committed to inviting families to join in the great adventure of discovering our identity and mission: we Image the Trinity (Get IT?). We exist because of the Holy Spirit working through your prayers, involvement and financial support. Donations of any amount accepted (left column).
